Study: German companies account for 5.5 percent of video game revenue

The industry association game sees the German games industry in a good position. According to a study published on Thursday, the number of German game companies grew by 81 percent between 2018 and 2024. In 2025, the industry shrank by 5 percent, the first decline in years. The industry association attributes this, among other things, to increased competition and an uncertain investment climate.

According to the association, there are now 897 companies in Germany that it identifies as being in the core market of video games – meaning developers and publishers. At the same time, the number of employees in the games industry has also increased, although at a slightly slower pace, the industry association reports. In 2024, 14,800 people worked in the games industry in Germany, a growth of 20 percent compared to 2018. The industry remains highly fragmented, the study states. The market is predominantly characterized by small, independent studios. The proportion of women increased from 25 to 30 percent in the period from 2018 to 2024.

German companies with 5.5 percent revenue share

The industry association believes that revenue in the German games industry can still be improved. In total, game companies in Germany generated 3.73 billion euros in revenue in 2024, according to the study, which is 22 percent more than in 2018. The international comparison, in particular, tempers the enthusiasm: According to the industry association, of every 100 euros spent on video games in Germany, only 5.5 percent remains with German companies.

In his statement on the study, Felix Falk, head of the industry association game, emphasizes the importance of games funding: "The games industry delivers when the framework conditions are right," says Falk. "Games funding pays off for Germany. But the real turbo has not yet been engaged. We will only unlock the full potential of Germany as a games location with a reliable mix of games funds and tax incentives. With this international standard, international competitiveness will increase significantly, and we will have the opportunity to catch up with the global leaders."

Games industry "central innovation driver"

Dorothee Bär, Federal Minister for Research, Technology and Space Affairs, also expresses ambition in a statement on the study: "Our goal is to develop Germany into a leading location for the games industry. This brings clear added value, as the current industry study indicates that the games industry is also a central innovation driver and an important sector for qualification."

According to the study, every euro of game funding in 2023 generated around 6.50 euros in gross value added and 2.50 euros in taxes and social security contributions. "With reliable funding and the introduction of tax incentives foreseen in the coalition agreement, we are creating the framework conditions that the industry needs for innovation, employment, and growth," says Bär.

The study was conducted by Goldmedia and the game association and funded by the Federal Ministry for Research, Technology, and Space Affairs. 343 companies from the games industry were surveyed online between April 29 and June 15, 2025. The complete study can be downloaded as a PDF.

(dahe)